DE3605900A1 - WRITING PEN - Google Patents

Description

Pens, especially ballpoint pens, come in one Variety of types, shapes, sizes and price ranges between less than one mark and several hundred marks. The invention particularly relates to an inexpensive ballpoint pen.

Relatively cheap ballpoint pens are available with a retractable refill, for example with the writing tip by pressing a button on the upper part of a shaft or by turning shaft sections against each other the shaft can be pushed out and lowered into the shaft, as well as available in a version with a fixed lead, some of them with a removable cap, in which the writing tip is permanently attached to the barrel. In general Ballpoint pens with a retractable refill are a bit more complex to manufacture and therefore more expensive than those with fixed mine. Ballpoint pens of the first type are when they are carried in a pocket or handbag are to be, in general preferable, inasmuch as the writing tip can be retracted or countersunk and therefore the bag, handbag or objects in it will not be soiled. For ballpoint pens with a fixed refill there is a risk that the removable cap will be lost. In addition, with such a pen, when carried in a pocket or handbag, the

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The shaft will easily detach from the cap and in this case a shirt can be ruined or objects in a handbag or bag.

Ballpoint pens, and all writing implements for that matter, are not particularly comfortable to carry, although most people are wish to carry a pen with you. If stuck in the pocket of a shirt or jacket, one can Occasionally make the pen feel uncomfortable for the wearer by pricking or pressing. In other cases the pockets are not deep enough to accommodate the full length of the pen. Often offer small handbag compartments or change wallets do not have enough space for a conventional ballpoint pen.

The invention has the object of providing a more universal and adaptable to different needs of the user pen, in particular to provide pens.

A pen solving this problem is characterized by its refinements in the claims.

A ballpoint pen according to the invention is in one sense a ballpoint pen with a retractable refill, insofar as its The writing tip is exposed in one configuration and covered and protected in another configuration. In one in another sense, it does not correspond to the version with a retractable mine, insofar as it does not have a retraction mechanism for retracting and sliding the nib into and out of the shaft; the writing tip is on the shaft attached.

According to another concept of the invention, a pen is in the configuration in which the nib covered and protected, flexible but rigid when

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the writing tip is exposed for writing. The flexibility or pliability of the pen in the configuration with covered and slotted writing tip enables the pen to be taken with you in your pocket or handbag to bend, so that it can be comfortably accommodated and yield even in small bags and handbags and is more comfortable for the wearer.

The pen according to the invention, in particular a ballpoint pen, has a long one-piece shaft with a substantially rigid shaft base and a substantially rigid upper part of the shaft, which is connected to them by a flexible middle part of the shaft that is firmly or integrally connected to them the shaft can be bent, are connected to one another, and at the distal end of the lower shaft part of a writing tip. A substantially rigid, tubular cap is pushed telescopically onto the lower shaft part in such a way that they are movable along the shaft between a first, retracted position and a second, advanced position is, wherein in the first position the lower part of the shaft is partly and the middle part of the shaft is substantially completely covers and makes the pen essentially rigid, and in the second position the nib covers and exposes the middle part of the shaft, protecting the nib and making the pen flexible. The cap and the shaft have interlocking coupling members which the cap in each of the two positions keep releasable.

The pen according to the invention, in particular a ballpoint pen may have the following additional features individually or in combination:

1) The length of the cap is such that it is in the retracted position Position covers the shaft to a large extent; the pen can thereby be used to write by touching it

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held by the cap.

2. An outer circumferential surface of the lower shaft part to a small extent The distance from the writing tip lies in the retracted position of the cap on an inner surface adapted to it the cap on; the lower part of the shaft is thus securely supported in the cap when the pen is used.

3. The cap is in the advanced and the retracted position by longitudinally spaced grooves in the Lower shaft part or in the cap, into which a circumferential rib or a nose on the corresponding other component penetrates, held.

4. In the end of the cap that is closer to the upper shaft part, a portion of the is in the retracted position Upper shaft part added telescoping.

5. The upper part of the shaft has a retaining clip. In one embodiment, the retaining clip is fixed to the shaft or is connected in one piece and to the upper part of the shaft by a fixed or one-piece connected to it and the upper part of the shaft flexible hinge band connected, which is at a distance from both ends of the retaining clip and thus a tilting support forms. The distal end portion of the upper shaft part receives an elastic insert, which has a portion which rests against the retaining clip and swivels it elastically around the tilting support. The insert is flexible, so that the retaining clip can be pivoted about the tilting support into an open position.

6. The flexible shaft middle part has at least one bendable one Band which extends in the longitudinal direction between the lower part of the shaft and the upper part of the shaft and is connected to them is, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced ribs extending in at least each direction of bending of the ribbon of

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the latter protrude across. "Adjacent pairs of ribs are be brought into mutual abutment when the tape is bent and limit the amount of bending of each between adjacent ones Ribbed section of the band.

The main advantages of a pen, especially a ballpoint pen According to the invention are the bendability, the taking of the pen by wearing it on the body or in small handbags, and the ability to carry the pen with a To cover cap that cannot be removed and therefore cannot be lost. In a preferred embodiment, with a retaining clip that is firmly or integrally connected to it the latter can be opened by hand like a clothespin; this reduces the wear and tear of a shirt or jacket pocket, as it happens by conventional retaining clips, limited.

The invention thus provides a pen, in particular a ballpoint pen, which can be manufactured at low cost and is convenient to be worn and used. The cap is held securely on the barrel and is not removed for writing; she can therefore not be lost. When the pen is set aside or transported, the cap covers the The writing tip and pen is flexible and can therefore be bent so that it is more convenient in pockets and small handbags can be accommodated.

Embodiments of the invention are based on the following Schematic drawings explained in more detail. It shows:

T> Fig. 1 is a front view of the shaft of a first ^"{guide die off,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same shaft with a

Partial cut,
Fig. 3 shows an axial section through the cap of the first embodiment

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guide form with a partial side view,

4A and 4B a side and plan view of an insert for closing the upper part of the shaft first embodiment,

5 shows a side view with a partial section through the first embodiment in the assembled state, with the cap shown in the retracted position and the retaining clip in the open position are,

6 shows a side view of the first embodiment in the assembled state with a partial section through the advanced cap with the shaft bent, a front view of the shaft of a second embodiment,

a side view of the same shaft with a partial section,

an axial section through the cap of the second embodiment with a partial side view, a plan view of the second embodiment, the section 11-11 in Fig. 8,

a front view with a partial section through the second embodiment in the assembled state, the cap being drawn in the retracted position, and

13 is a side view of the second embodiment in FIG Assembled state with a partial section through the advanced cap with the shaft bent.

The first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has a shaft 10 in the form of a long one-piece injection molding made of a suitable plastic, for example a substantially hard polyamide, especially hard nylon. Of the Shaft 10 has three main components, namely a rigid shaft lower part 12, a rigid shaft upper part 14 and a with the shaft parts 12 and 14 firmly or integrally connected flexible shaft middle part 16. The shaft lower part 12

Fig. 7th Fig. 8th Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11th Fig. 12th

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is rotationally symmetrical to its longitudinal axis and has a conical outer surface 18 at its distal end, which at least approximately matched to the cone of a writing tip 19 of a ballpoint pen refill fastened in the shaft 10 is. According to FIG. 5, an inner hole 20 extends coaxially with the shaft 10 over the entire length of the lower shaft part 12 and has an enlargement at the distal end which forms a shoulder 22 on which the shaft of the writing tip is attached 19 supports. The inner hole 20 receives a tubular paint container 19a of the ballpoint pen refill can be designed as desired, but is preferably provided with a flexible plastic sleeve that extends over almost the entire length of the shaft 10 extends. Likewise A short, rigid paint container that does not penetrate the middle part 16 of the shaft is useful.

The lower shaft part 12 has two at a longitudinal distance from one another grooves 24 and 26 extending in the circumferential direction on. The ones closer to the distal end of the lower shaft part 12 located wall of the groove 24 is formed by a shoulder 24a, which for a reason explained in more detail below by slightly higher than the other wall. Over a greater part of the distance between the grooves 24 and 26 is the outer surface of the lower shaft part 12 of slightly smaller diameter than the associated connection points to the Grooves 24 and 26.

The shaft center part 16 has a plurality of circular ones Ribs 28, each of which has a central hole 30 of the same diameter as the inner hole 20 and therefore the Able to accommodate the ink container of the writing lead. Adjacent ribs 28 are connected to one another, and the end ribs 28 are connected to the lower shaft part 12 and the upper shaft part 14 by diametrically opposed connecting pieces 32 connected, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction in two rows near the outer circumference. The connection

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Pieces 32 form relatively thin bands of predominantly longitudinal extent, which the lower shaft part 12 and the upper shaft part 14 connect with each other. They are able to move in one direction across the two rows, i.e. in the drawing plane of FIG. 2, and to bend back and forth at right angles to the drawing plane of FIG. Except that the Ribs 28 serve an aesthetic purpose in that they provide an optical mass rather than one or more thin ribbons, which connect two end sections together, limit and influence the bending of the Shank middle part 16 in that they are in extreme bending lay against each other. Each pair of ribs 28 limits the amount of bending that occurs in the connecting band 32 between them can take place. The rings or ribs 28 also connect the two bands 32 to one another in the transverse direction and stiffen them so that they do not bend in the direction of the joint.

The upper shaft part 14 is tubular (around the material insert to be kept as small as possible) and has a circular cylindrical outer surface. With the main part is solid or in one piece a retaining clip 34 is formed and connected to it by a hinge band 36 which forms a tilting support in order to which the retaining clip 34 is pivotable. In the hollow distal end piece 38 of the upper shaft part 14 is an elastic Deformable insert 40 arranged (see Fig. 4A and 4B), which is in a level with the upper end of the retaining clip 34 is added inwardly located area 42 and occupies this. In order for the user to reach the top of the retaining clip 34 can grasp more securely in order to compress the retaining clip 34 into an open position (see FIG. 5), in which the lower end is open so that the pen can be put in a pocket and clipped to it, A plurality of shallow grooves 44 are machined into the upper end of the retaining clip 34. The elastic insert 40 urges the retaining clip 34 into the closed position (FIG. 6).

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According to Fig. 3, the cap 46 is to a longitudinal center axis rotationally symmetrical. It is tubular and takes the lower shaft part 12 and the in one of two positions Shaft middle part 16 telescoping on. Any of these positions is produced and secured against an axial force of a predetermined amount by the locking of an inner rib 48 in the groove 24 or 26 of the lower shaft part 12. When the inner rib 48 is engaged in the groove 24, is the cap 46 is advanced and covers and protects the nib 19 of the pen (see Fig. 6). Is the With the rib 48 engaged in the groove 26, the cap 46 covers the lower shaft part 12 to a greater extent and the elastic Shaft middle part 16 completely. In this shown in FIG In the retracted position, the writing tip 19 is exposed, and an inner surface 50 is located at the lower end of the cap 46 on a section of the outer surface 18 of the lower shaft part 12 and thereby securely supports the cap 46 on the shaft 10 from, and the upper end piece of the cap 46 telescopes a portion 52 of the upper shaft part 14 on. In the withdrawn Position is therefore the cap 46 on the portion 52, on a shaft portion near the groove 26 and on a Section of the outer surface 18 at the distal end of the shaft at and thereby makes the pen essentially rigid (see Fig. 5).

Between the retracted and advanced positions, the cap 46 can be extended most of the way thanks to a sliding or loose fit between the inner rib 48 of the cap 46 and the reduced diameter portion of the lower shaft part 12 move freely. In the one shown in FIG advanced position of the cap 46 is the inner rib 48 on the shoulder 24a, because of their larger Outer diameter (see. Fig. 1 and 2) prevents the cap 46 from being completely removed from the shaft 10. Also covered the cap 46 in the advanced position no longer the shaft middle part 16; the pen can thus in

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Shaft middle part 16 in the above-described and in Fig. 6 are bent in the manner shown. The amount of bend can be considerably greater than that shown in Figure 6; in fact, the pen can be bent back all the way until the cap 46 contacts the upper part 14 of the barrel.

The second embodiment shown in Fig. 7 to 13 is identical in most respects to the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6, and the above description applies largely to the second embodiment. The corresponding components of the second embodiment are the same Reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but increased by 100, assigned. Corresponding components therefore do not need to be used in the two embodiments be described again. The differences between the two embodiments are as follows:

Among the organs with which the cap 146 is advanced in the and the retracted position is lockable includes a pair of narrow, shallow grooves 160, which are of the same shape are incorporated into the lower shaft part 112 on diametrically opposite sides. Each groove 160 has one in the longitudinal direction, i.e. parallel to the axis of the shaft 110 extending larger portion 160a to the at each end an inclined section 160b connects, and at the end of each groove 160 a locking section 160c or 16Od formed.

The cap 146 has a pair of internally disposed lugs 170 that penetrate into the associated grooves 160 of the lower shaft part 112. When the lugs 170 are brought into position in the locking portions 160c, the cap 146 is advanced and covers and protects the writing tip 119 (see Fig. 13). Are the lugs 170 in the locking sections 16Od of the grooves 160, the cap 146 covers the lower shaft part 112 to a larger part and the shaft middle part 116 fully

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constant. In this retracted position shown in FIG. 12, the writing tip 119 is exposed, an inner surface 146a at the lower end of the cap 146 has little play in relation to the proximal section 118a of the outer surface 118 of the Lower shaft part 112 and an inner surface 146b of the cap also has little play in relation to a surface 112a of the Shank 110. The upper portion 146c of the cap 146 takes a reduced diameter portion 152 of the Upper shaft part 114 telescoping on. In the withdrawn Position are therefore the lower shaft part 112 and the flexible Shank center 116 through surfaces 146a and 146b and the section 146c of the cap 146 opposite the upper shaft part 114 is supported, and the pen is thereby made substantially rigid. The user grabs the Pen in the usual manner with thumb and fingers resting on cap 146. The writing pressure exerted by the user is supported or received by the locking position of the cap 146.

To move the cap 146 between the advanced and In the retracted position, the user only needs to rotate the cap 146 in the direction in which the lugs 170 of the cap 146 from the locking sections 160c or 16Od of the grooves 160 are moved out, in which the lugs 170 fit with an interference fit, so that a small torque is required is to move the lugs 170 out of the locking portions 160c or 16Od. In the rest Sections of the grooves 160, the lugs 170 have a clearance fit, so that the cap 146 is conveniently rotated first and at the same time can be moved somewhat in the longitudinal direction when the lugs 170 are guided along the inclined sections 160b of each groove 160 , and can then be displaced in the longitudinal direction when the lugs 170 along the sections 160a move. When the lugs 170 meet the sloping portions 160b on the reach the other end of the grooves 160 is through another Longitudinal movement of the cap 146 also opposes its rotation

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the shaft 110 brought about, giving the user the direction indicates in which the cap 146 must be rotated to lock it in the new position. The handling the cap 146 is easy to learn and proper use of the pen becomes a habit. Of the Switching from one locking position to the other can easily be done with one hand.

To secure the locking position against rotation, relatively little force is required, but can Lugs 170 and grooves 160 are constructed so that one A comparatively large force counteracts the longitudinal movement of the cap 146 out of the respective locking position.

In the upper shaft part 114, a thin one is formed by deforming it Band made of metal retaining clip 162 by a cup-like end piece 164, which is in the end of the upper shaft part 114 and conveniently attached, e.g., by gluing, and by engaging an L-shaped Retaining flange 166 in a slot 168 in the upper part of the shaft 114 held. Instead of the metal retaining clip 162, in the second embodiment, the retaining clip 34 of the first embodiment can be used.

The embodiments described above are intended only as examples. E.g. the means for holding of the canopy in the advanced and retracted positions can be modified by, for example, lugs or ribs on the Shank and grooves can be provided in the inner surface of the cap. The length of the cap can be such that it is only so much is larger than that of the flexible shaft center portion, as is sufficient to provide a substantially rigid connection therebetween Manufacture lower shaft and upper shaft part, so that the pen in the retracted position of the cap to Use is essentially rigid. The writing tip is

4P

not necessarily limited to ballpoint pen refills, although when choosing which one to use in the pen Tip type to the necessary extent on the shelf life with a certain type of packaging (in the case of hermetic In sealed packaging, shelf life is practically irrelevant) and the lifespan of the Care should be taken with the writing tip, insofar as the cap of the pen does not completely enclose the writing tip. Under these circumstances, ballpoint pen refills are compared to so-called felt-tip pen refills, which are uncovered Dry out condition, preferred.

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Claims (14)

Expectations : \ y / Writing pen, in particular ballpoint pen, with a long, one-piece shaft (10; 110) which is composed of an essentially rigid shaft lower part (12; 112) and an essentially rigid shaft upper part (14; 114), one at the distal end the writing tip (19; 119) attached to the lower shaft part (12; 112) and a substantially rigid, tubular cap (46; 146) which is pushed telescopically onto the lower shaft part (12; 112), characterized in that - the shaft (10; 110) between the lower shaft part (12; 112); * - and upper part of the shaft (14; 114) fixed or fixed with them. ) lumpy connected flexible shaft middle part (16; 116) * has and can be bent at this, - the cap (46; 146) along the shaft (10; 110) between a first, retracted position and a second, advanced position is movable, being in the first position the lower shaft part (12; 112) to part and the shaft middle part (16; 116) essentially completely covered and thereby the writing tip (19; 119) releases and makes the pen essentially rigid, and in the second position covers the writing tip (19; 119) and the shaft middle part (16; 116) releases and thereby the The writing tip (19; 119) protects the pen and makes it flexible makes, and / 2 ORIGINAL INSPECTED - 2 - 60 - The cap (46; 146) and the lower shaft part (12; 112) means (24,26,48; 160c, 16Od, 170) with which can releasably hold the cap (46; 146) in the retracted and advanced positions. 2. pen according to claim 1, characterized in that - The cap (46; 146) is of such a length that it is in the retracted position the shaft (10; 110) to the larger Part covered, and - The pen can thereby be held for writing by gripping the cap (46; 146). 3. pen according to claim 2, characterized in that - An outer peripheral surface (18; 118a) of the lower shaft part (12; 112) at a short distance from the writing tip (19; 119) in the retracted position of the cap (46; 146) rests against an inner surface (50; 146a) of the cap (46; 146) adapted to it, and / - The lower shaft part (12; 112) thereby when using the Pen securely supported in the cap (46; 146) is. 4. pen according to claim 1, characterized in that - At least one of the holding means either in the outer surface of the lower shaft part (112) or in the inner surface the cap (146) formed groove (160) and a protruding nose (170) at the other end of the cap (146) and the shaft (110) belong, - The groove (160) of the same extent as the distance is between the advanced and retracted positions of the cap (146) and against adjacent ones at each end End sections of the groove (160) offset in the circumferential direction Has locking sections (160c, 16Od), and - 3 - 50 115 ν * - the cap (146), if it is not opposite the shaft (110) is rotated, can be blocked in the corresponding locking sections (160c, 16Od). 5. pen according to claim 4,
characterized in that - a between the locking sections (160c, 16Od) located larger portion (160a) of the groove (160) approximately extends in the longitudinal direction of the pen, and - The cap (146) approximately in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (110) over a larger part of the distance between the retracted and the advanced position is movable. 6. pen according to claim 4,
characterized in that - the locking sections (160c, 16Od) adjacent end sections (160b) of the groove (160) are aligned obliquely to the longitudinal section (160a), and - the direction in which the cap (146) is relative to the shaft (110) into the corresponding locking section (160c or 16Od) is screwed in, is set before the cap (146) when moving out of the retracted or the * advanced position out into the other has reached one of these positions. 7. pen according to claim 1,
characterized in that the holding means include longitudinally spaced outer circumferential grooves (24,26) in the lower shaft part (12) and an inner circumferential rib (48) on the cap (46) which can be snapped into the corresponding groove (24,26). 8. pen according to claim 7,
characterized in that - The groove (24) in the closer to the writing tip (19) / 4 - 4 - 60 Shank (10) on the tip (19) facing Side is limited by a retaining shoulder (24a) which rests on the inner circumferential rib (48) of the cap (46), and - This makes it difficult to loosen the cap (46) from the shaft (10) is. 9. pen according to claim 7,
characterized in that - Between a considerable part of its outer surface located between the grooves (24, 26) between the lower part of the shaft (12) and the rib (48) of the cap (46) is a sliding or loose fit, and - The cap (46) thereby between the advanced and the retracted position is easy to move. 10. pen according to claim 1,
characterized in that - In the end of the which is closer to the upper shaft part (14) Cap (46) in the retracted position, a section (52) of the upper shaft part (14) received in a telescopic manner is and - As a result, bending of the upper part of the shaft (14) relative to the flexible shaft middle part (16) can be limited. 11. pen according to claim 1,
characterized in that a retaining clip (34) is firmly or integrally connected to the upper part (14) of the shaft. 12. pen according to claim 11,
characterized in that - The retaining clip (34) with the upper shaft part (14) fixed or integral with it and the upper shaft part (14) connected hinge band (36) is connected, which is arranged at a distance from both ends of the retaining clip (34) is and forms a tilting support, - 5 - 60 - The distal end section (38) of the upper shaft part (14) receives elastic insert (40) which has a portion (42) which rests against the retaining clip (34) and urges them elastically into a closed position around the tilting support, and - The insert (40) is flexible so that the retaining clip (34) around the tilt support in an open position is pivotable. 13. pen according to claim 1, characterized in that - The flexible shaft middle part (16; 116) at least one bendable band (32; 132) which extends in the longitudinal direction between the lower shaft part (12; 112) and the upper shaft part (14; 114) extends and is connected to these, and a Has a plurality of longitudinally spaced ribs (28; 128) which at least in each bending direction of the Ribbon (32; 132) protrude transversely from the latter, and - Adjacent pairs of ribs (28; 128) when bending the Ribbon (32; 132) can be brought into mutual abutment and the amount of bending of each between adjacent Ribs (28; 128) located portion of the band (32; 132) limit. 14. pen according to claim 13,
characterized in that - two flexible strips (32; 132) opposite each other in the Proximity of the transversely outer end of the shaft (10; 110) are arranged, and - The ribs (28; 128) are ring segments with which the the two bands (32; 132) are connected to one another in the transverse direction.